Update: Missing Detroit Boy Speaks Out About Abuse

Charlie Bothuell V is opening up about the abuse he underwent while in his father and stepmother's home.

The 12-year-old was reported missing by his stepmother, Monique Dillard-Bothuell, last month only for authorities to later discover him hiding behind a homemade barricade in their family basement.

Asked why he was in the basement, Charlie told caseworkers that his stepmother sent him down there after he didn’t finish one of his two-a-day workouts, reports Associated Press. The workouts included 100 push-ups, 200 sit-ups, 100 jumping jacks, 25 arm curls with a 25-pound weight and thousands of revolutions on an elliptical machine, all to be completed in one hour.

If Charlie failed to meet the time limit, Dillard-Bothuell would threaten him, saying things like, “I know where the sharp knives are,” and “I can make you disappear.” Charlie told authorities that this time, Dillard-Bothuell ordered him to the basement and told him, “Shut up, stay quiet and don’t say anything no matter what you hear!”

Although Dillard-Bothuell’s attorney believes these claims to be “ridiculous,” a court hearing will resume July 17th, working to end the couple’s parental rights.

Charlie is currently staying with his mother, while his other siblings have been sent to live with other relatives.